KETTLE CALLING POT BLACK? Taliban warns ISIS to 'avoid extremism'

It's
an extraordinary gesture, suggesting that ISIS is overstepping the line
a bit in its assault on Iraq. No less than the Taliban militants in
Afghanistan are warning ISIS insurgents fighting in Iraq to "avoid
extremism" in a plea for unity among jihadists. The Taliban in
Afghanistan, never known for its mercy on unarmed civilians - in
particular young girls who desire an education, may have just provided
an example of the old saying of "the kettle calling the pot black."

The Afghan Taliban has urged the Sunni faction, which has been waging a bloody insurgency against Shi'ite Muslim groups in Iraq, to avoid "distrusting" other Islamist groups.

Highlights

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Afghan Taliban has urged the Sunni faction, which has been waging a bloody insurgency against Shi'ite Muslim groups in Iraq, to avoid "distrusting" other Islamist groups.

In addition, commanders of the AL-Qaeda-linked group also pleaded with the fighters of ISIS, which recently declared an Islamic "Caliphate" in its captured territory, to respect the rule of law.

ISIS had originally begun life as an offshoot of AL-Qaeda, but was disowned by the global terror network after bolstering its strength by merging with other groups in Syria.

On the Afghan Taliban's Web site, a call for unity was declared last week. The announcement did not name ISIS directly, but clearly referred to the group, who are now thought to be the world's most powerful jihadists.

"It is worthy for a shurah (consultation) council to be formed from the leaders of all the jihadi factions and the distinguished people among the experts and the scholars in Sham (Syria) in order to solve their conflicts," the message in Arabic read.

"Muslims also should avoid extremism in religion, and judging others without evidence, and distrusting one another.

"They should avoid conflict and dispute, and not think their opinions are better than others. Mercy and compassion should prevail," the message concluded.

ISIS announced on June 29 that it had renamed itself the Islamic State and proclaimed its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi their "Caliph," or head of state. The group formerly known as ISIS had fallen out with AL-Qaeda over its expansion into Syria, where it has carried out beheadings, crucifixions and mass executions.

SIS has overrun the Iraqi city of Mosul and advanced towards the capital Baghdad in recent weeks. In Syria, ISIS has captured territory in the north and east, along the border with Iraq.

Taliban spokesmen in both Pakistan and Afghanistan declined to comment on al-Baghdadi's claim to be the global leader of all Muslims. The Afghan and Pakistani Taliban are separate, but allied.

Some commanders have privately said that they did not want to anger AL-Qaeda, whom they considered a long-time ally in the fight against NATO troops in the region.

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for DECEMBER 2016
Universal: End to Child-Soldiers: That the scandal of child-soldiers may be eliminated the world over.
Evangelization: Europe: That the peoples of Europe may rediscover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Gospel which gives joy and hope to life.

Comments

Check out this video of Russian forces ending the career of an ISIS leader. Soldiers suppress the occupants of the building before deploying a robot to safely complete the mission. LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - In a video that captures the moment an ISIS ... continue reading

Did a storm of Biblical proportions protect Israel from ISIS? Some people are saying yes, including an Israeli news outlet following the seemingly miraculous event. LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Pictures of a biblical storm are making the rounds in Israel as ... continue reading

On February 23, 2015, ISIS forces fell upon 35 Christian towns at the same time, kidnapping thousands.With no armies, countries or even their own government offering help, an unlikely hero was forced to take matters into his own hands. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) ... continue reading

Islamic terror group ISIS has announced the launch of a holy war the same day Republican nominee Donald Trump will be stepping into the presidency. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - U.S. special forces will remain on high alert as Trump takes his place as the 45th ... continue reading

A Christian charity and watchdog group reported Coptic Christians in Egypt have become the latest victims of radical Islamists. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to International Christian Concern (ICC), the village of Manshiet El-Naghamish was attacked by ... continue reading

An unusual jar has made its debut in Israel. The formerly-shattered clay vessel is topped with a figurine that looks curiously like "The Thinker." LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- "An ancient clay vessel has been presented to the world by the Israeli Antiques ... continue reading

Air raids have been conducted in Syria for months but one of the most recent strikes hit a hospital, leaving doctors scrambling to save babies trapped in incubators. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Aljazeera, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ... continue reading

A teenager recruited by ISIS, said to belong to the "Cubs of the Caliphate," killed his entire family by mistake. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Iraq News, a local source told Alsumaria News that the teen was a Cub of the Caliphate, children raised ... continue reading

As children return home to their villages in northern Iraq, they are expected to take a very important class. How they do in that class will determine if they live or die. LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - No class in the world is as serious as the one offered to ... continue reading

Catholic Life

A special message from Catholic Online

If you can afford to give $25, you can help our new Catholic Online School fulfill it's mission to deliver a free world-class Catholic education for anyone, anywhere.

If you can afford to give $25, you can help our new Catholic Online School fulfill it's mission to deliver a free world-class Catholic education for anyone, anywhere.

By equipping our young people with a sound education, rooted in the Gospel message, the Person of Jesus Christ, and rich traditions of our faith, we ensure that they have the foundation to live morally in our complex modern world.

We rely on support from people like you to sponsor Catholic education worldwide.